Bun steamer injector

ABSTRACT

Ame method and apparatus for injecting steam into buns. The stem injector includes a readily removable platen assembly which assembly defines a plurality of equally spaced steam injection orifices arranged in rows and columns. The platen assembly is specially configured to produce high quality steam. The buns are positioned on a perforated tray, the perforations of which coincide with the steam injection orifices. The steam is injected directly into the buns themselves through the perforations in the tray.

United States Patent [191 Binks et a].

[ 1 3,735,749 [4 1 May 29, 1973 [54] BUN STEAMER INJECTOR [75] Inventors: Chester Binks, La Grange, Ronald M. Herbert, Hanover Park, both of 111. 60103 [73] Assignee: Restaurant Technology, Inc., Oak

Brook, Ill.

[22] Filed: Nov. 4, 1970 211 Appl.No.: 86,721

[52] US. Cl. ..126/20, 99/234 A [51] Int. Cl. ..A2lb 1/36 [58] Field of Search 126/20, 369; 99/234 A; 219/401 [56] References Cited 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,674,935 4/1954 Lewis et al ......126/20 UX 2,973,705 3/1961 Klemm 126/20 X 3,236,172 2/1966 Haedike et al ..219/40l X 3 ,279,450 10/1966 Lassiter 3,502,065 3/1970 Lassiter ..126/20 Primary ExaminerEdward G. Favors Attorney-Dressler, Goldsmith, Clement & Gordon [5 7] ABSTRACT Ame method and apparatus for injecting steam into buns. The stem injector includes a readily removable platen assembly which assembly defines a plurality of equally spaced steam injection orifices arranged in rows and columns. The platen assembly is specially configured to produce high quality steam. The buns are positioned on a perforated tray, the perforations of which coincide with the steam injection orifices. The steam is injected directly into the buns themselves through the perforations in the tray.

8 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEDIMYZQIBH 35,749

' SHEET 1 [IF 4 N VE N TORS Chester Binkg BonaldA/lfleert PATENTEL W 2 91975 SHEET 2 OF 4 t BUN STEAMER INJECTOR This invention relates to a steam injector and to a method for injecting steam directly into each of a plurality of articles, such as bun sections and the like.

It is known to provide flash steaming units for steaming articles, such as buns, bread, sandwiches, and the like to hold such and to maintain such at desired levels of moistness and temperature. In prior art steamers,

this is usually accomplished by providing a steam vent the-escape of steam. Typical prior art steamers of such types are illustrated in Haedike et al. U.S. Pat. No.

3,236,172, Lassiter U.S. Pat. No. 3,203,414 and Lewis et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,674,935.

It has been determined that the steam blankets provided in such devices, and those generally resulting from the constructions of such devices, are not the most effective means for obtaining desired moisture and temperature levels. Furthermore, the utilization of drawers, air-tight compartments, and the like unnecessarily complicates steamers which utilize and require steam blankets to induce the desired temperature and moisture levels in the articles to be steamed.

In accordance with this invention, a steam injector is provided which injects uniform quantities of steam directly into each of the individual articles placed in the steamer. This provides a highly accurate degree of control over the temperature and moisture levels to be imparted to the articles. That also more uniformly distributes the steam with respect to each individual article, and produces, with a given quantity of steam, a hotter and a moister article, such as a bun.

A steam injector of this invention includes a platen assembly which produces high quality, superheated steam. The platen assembly defines a plurality of rows and columns of steam orifices which are regularly and equidistantly spaced thereby to inject dry steam directly into corresponding rows and columns of articles. The articles may be placed directly on the surface overlying the steam orifices, but preferably are positioned on an apertured tray over the steam orifices. The tray defines a plurality of columns and rows of perforations which coincide with the location of the steam orifices. The tray and the platen assembly are preferably proportioned to accurately register the perforations with the orifices. Such a tray facilitates the speedy handling of a plurality of articles, both when they are to be positioned in the steam injector and when they are to be removed therefrom.

Other features and further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bun steam injector of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 11 showing the cover assembly in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 absent a bun tray;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view of sandwich bun portions adapted to be steamed in a bun steam injector of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIG. l, FIG. 9 further illustrating where the section of FIG. 6 has been taken;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view, partially broken away, of the platen assembly of the bun steam injector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of the bun steam injector of FIG. l, and

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary section of FIG. 7.

Referring now to FIGS. l to 4, a presently preferred embodiment of a bun steam injector is generally designated by the numeral lltl. Bun steam injector 10 comprises a cabinet assembly 12 having a control cabinet portion 14 and a base cabinet portion 16. A cover assembly I8 is supported on the base cabinet portion 16. Cover assembly 18 comprises a cover portion 20 at the forward end of which there is hingedly connected a front 22 adapted to be moved about its hinge pins 24 by a handle 26.

Buns, such as bun crown portions C and bun heel portions H (FIG. 5) are preferably insertable into the bun steam injector 10 on a perforated tray 30. Tray 30 comprises an expansive planar base 32 perforated at regularly and equidistantly spaced intervals with at least 12 perforations The front and side edges of base 32 are integrally formed with a lip 33 to prevent movement of the bun portions. A handle element 36 is suitably secured to base 32 to provide a means for holding tray 30. It will be seen that the front 22 of the cover assembly 18 is notched at 33 to accommodate the handle element 36 (see FIG. I).

The base cabinet portion 16 suitably supports a platen assembly 40. Platen assembly 40 defines a plurality of steam injection orifices 42 through which steam is injected upwardly, as into bun portions C and H, through the perforations 34 of the overlying tray 30. The steam injection orifices 42 are regularly and equidistantly spaced and are in rows and columns proportioned to inject similarly ordered overlying bun portions with steam. The perforations 34 are also regularly and equidistantly spaced and are positioned to coincide with the injection orifices 42 (see FIG. 8).

The platen assembly 40 comprises a suitably configured platen 44 which is overlaid by a platen pan 46. Platen pan 46 defines the steam injection orifices 42 and is sealingly secured to platen 44, as by a plurality of studs 50. The heads of studs 50 are connected, as by welding, to the base of platen pan 46, and project downwardly through complementary bores in platen 44. A plurality of nuts 52 sealingly clamp the lower surface of the platen pan 46 to the upper surface of platen 44. Desirably, a suitable sealing material, such as a high temperature silicon rubber material, is interposed between the platen pan 46 and the platen 44 at the contacting edge surfaces thereof.

The platen assembly is adapted to be marginally supported on base cabinet portion 16. To that end, the platen pan 46 defines a peripheral channel portion 54 adapted to be seated upon the upper edge 56 of the sheet metal defining the base cabinet portion 16. A centrally positioned channel 58 (FIG. 6) extending between opposite sides of the base cabinet portion 16 is proportioned to supportingly underlie platen assembly 40. Two of the studs 50 project downwardly through suitable apertures in channel 58. These mount nuts 52 in counterbores 53 to secure the platen pan to the platen (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Wing nuts 52 releasably secure the platen assembly to channel 58, hence to the cabinet, and, as will appear, serve to urge thermostat 126 into contact with the platen 44 as shown in FIG. 12. The cover assembly 18 is seated on the upper edge of channel portion 54 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) and rearward movement of the cover assembly is arrested by a pair of spaced apart bracket elements 59 which, with the confronting lower peripheral edge of cover portion 20, nestingly rests upon channel portion 54 (see FIG. 6). Desirably, the lower edges 21 of cover portion 20 is slightly offset. Thus, with bracket elements 59 edge 21 cooperates with channel portion 54 to allow the cover 20 to be pivoted about channel portion 54 substantially in the manner of a freely seated hinge. Further, channel portions 54 at the sides and bracket elements 59 at the rear serve to locate tray and the perforations 34 thereof in alignment with steam injection orifices 42.

Platen 44 is preferably cast of an aluminum alloy, such as No. 319 aluminum alloy. It is cast with a resistance heating means to be embedded therein, such as resistance element 60. As seen in FIG. 9, resistance element 60 traverses the platen 44 in a plurality of gentle loops.

Platen 44 is cast with a multiplicity of upwardly facing channels and chambers, all located, proportioned and configured to assure the injection of dry steam only into the overlying buns through steam injection orifices 42.

As will be described, a predetermined amount of water is supplied to the platen assembly for each cycle of operation through a water inlet 62, which is desirably tapped to receive a male fitting (see FIG. 6). The water passes directly into a first steam generating chamber 64. Steam generating chamber 64 has two spaced apart lobes 66. A mixture of water and steam then passes rearwardly from lobes 66 into shallower second steam generating chambers 68. As will be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, chamber 64 and chambers 68 are separated by a pair of baffle walls 70. The steam generated in chambers 64 and 68 and any water entrained or carried therewith then passes rearwardly over second bafile walls 72 into at least third still shallower third steam generating chambers 74. The steam and any entrained water then passes from chambers 74 into steam chambers 76 through yet shallower passageways 78.

By this tine, all of the water has been converted into high quality, non-water bearing superheated steam. The steam passes from chambers 76 in several directions. Part of it passes forwardly along restrictive steam passage 80 into a semi-cylindrical steam injection channel 82. Another portion of the steam passes across restrictive baffle section 84 into steam chamber 86. Desirably chambers 76 and 86 are no deeper than the steam generating chambers 64, 66 and 74 and are of a lesser volume. From steam chamber 86 steam passes through restrictive steam passage 88 into semicylindrical steam injection channel 90. Steam also passes from chamber 86 over right-angled shallow restrictive steam passages 92 into semi-cylindrical steam injection channels 94.

It will be noted that each of the steam injection channels is of a substantially greater cross-sectional area than the restrictive steam passages (compare passage 92 and channel 94, for example). The peripheries of steam injection channels 82, and 94 sealingly bear against the lower surface of platen pan 46 thereby to allow the escape of steam therefrom only upwardly through the overlying steam orifices 42, which orifices overlie the steam injection channels only.

The steam issuing from steam orifices 42, because of the chamber and channel array is of a very high quality, i.e., very dry steam. That array provides baffling as well as for the repeated expansion and compression of the generated steam and for repeated changes in velocity, all of which contributes to the generation of high quality steam for injection into the buns. That array also enhances contact with the hot metal platen assembly surfaces and eliminates entrained water by the time the steam reaches the steam injection channels. The steam is injected from the injection channels directly into the overlying bun portions through steam injection orifices 42 and tray perforations 34.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 11, water is supplied to tapped water inlet 62 via a water supply line 100. In line there is a solenoid operated, pressure regulating uniform flow control valve assembly 102. Valve assembly 102 is adapted to provide a uniform rate of flow of water regardless of line pressure, as long as that line pressure remains between a preselected level, such as between about 15 and 125 psig. The water which flows through the valve assembly 102 enters the tapped water inlet 62 through a feed line 104. Water supply line 100 and feed line 104 are suitably interconnected with each other and with the valve assembly 102 by suitable fittings, and feed line 104 is mounted in tapped water inlet 62 by suitable fittings (see FIG. 6).

Platen assembly 40 is easily removed for repair or cleaning. It has been pointed out that the platen assembly 40 rests upon upper edge 56 of the base cabinet portion 16. It is secured thereon by the wing nuts 52' which bear against channel 58. As illustrated by FIGS. 7 and 12 the wing nuts 52' not only secure the platen assembly, but also bias platen assembly 40 toward channel 58 thereby to urge the head of thermostat 126 against platen 44 through resilient gasket 160 and dished washer 162 which in turn bear against bayonet arms 164 secured to the thermostat. This mounting for the thermostat also provides for its separate removal when necessary. When wing nuts 52' are removed and the thermostat 124 is removed, and the water connection and the resistance heater connections are broken, the platen assembly 40 may simply be lifted out of the cabinet for repair or cleaning.

Referring now to FIG. 1 1, the circuit of this invention is powered from a standard volt alternating current source through a conventional on/ofi switch 130. A suitable neon lamp 122 indicates whether the switch 130 is in an on" or off" position. The temperature at which resistance element 60 is operated is controlled by a thermostat 124. Desirably, thermostat 124 may be set for 325 F. The sensing portion of thermostat 124 is proportioned to be inserted in a thermostat bore 125 (FIG. 9) defined by platen 44.

The injection of the water into the platen assembly is controlled to take place only at a predetermined minimum elevated temperature, such as 250 F, and is controlled by the thermostat 126 secured at the base of platen 44 (FIGS. 7 and 12). The predetermined minimum temperature is indicated by neon lamp 142 which is illustrated when the temperature of the platen exceeds the predetermined minimum temperature.

When thermostat 126 indicates that the predetermined temperature level of the platen assembly has been reached or exceeded, i.e., is at a temperature level at which the desired high quality steam will be generated by the chambered and channeled platen assembly, the closing of two position switch 140 will cause a predetermined amount of water to be injected into platen assembly 40 through tapped water inlet 62.

Switch 140 has a non-operational center position and is adapted to be moved therefrom selectively to a manual position A or to an automatic position B. In manual position A the contacts will be momentarily closed only, thereby to energize relay 136 which will open switch 138 to extinguish neon lamp 142 (to indicate a steam injecting cycle is in progress) and which will close switch 144 to energize timer motor 146. When automatic position B is selected the contacts of switches 138 and 144 will remain closed continuously energizing motor 146 and maintaining lamp 142 in an extinguished condition.

The shaft of timer motor 146 mounts a pair of cams 148 and 150. Cam 148 is configured to open the solenoid operated valve assembly 102 to allow a preselected amount of water to be injected into inlet 62, thereby to generate a predetermined amount of steam. Cam 148 acts upon a switch 151 to open valve assembly 102 when cam 148 has moved clockwise to the cam area 152. Cam 150 acts upon a switch 154 to maintain power to timer motor 146 through the contacts of closed switch 144. This is accomplished for almost a complete revolution of the timer motor except for the cam notch at the very end. In this cam notch area switch 154 breaks contacts to switches 138 and 144 deenergizing relay 136 and breaking power to timer motor 146. However, also in this cam area switch 154 makes another contact which through contacts of switch 144 energizes timer motor 146 until cam 150 continues past cam notch 157 and stops. Also during this momentary resetting, cam notch 157, through switch 154, will energize an alarm such as a buzzer 156 which will signal, indicating the completion of a steam injecting cycle. 7

When the switch 140 is in automatic (or continuous) position B, the signaling will be discontinued when cam 140 moves past its cam notch. In this position a predetermined number of steam injection cycles may be obtained by controlling the timer motor 146. This will be of advantage where bun portions are to be held longer than usual to make certain that their moisture and temperature levels are suitably maintained. It will be seen therefore, that the circuit means described not only provides means for injecting water for each cycle, but also means for automatically resetting the circuit for subsequent cycles.

Although it will be apparent that a variety of components may be used in the circuit, the solenoid operated pressure regulating flow control valve may be one manufactured by Dole Valve Company under the designation S-25-P1-l, with one-eighth GPM flow control valve.

To carry out the method of his invention, a plurality of porous articles, such as bun portions, are placed in regularly and equidistantly spaced rows and columns over regularly and equidistantly spaced steaminjection orifices, preferably through an intermediate tray perfo- 6 rated with regularly and equidistantly spaced perforations larger than the steam injection orifices. Then superheated steam is generated and injected upwardly directly into the buns.

A bun steam injector of this invention has been built and operated and has been found to steam buns to highly desirable temperature and moisture layers. A quantity such as of twelve similarly sized bun halves, one placed on a perforated bun tray centrally of each perforation each of which overlies one of the steam injection orifices, was steamed by introducing approximately forty (40) cubic centimeters of water into inlet 62 when the platen temperature sensed was 325 F. The steam orifices at 1/16 inch diameter injected the steam generated very rapidly directly into the bun halves producing moist buns at an elevated temperature. The quality and uniformity of such buns was superior to that obtained in conventional steamers.

The bun steam injector described not only produces a higher quality steamed bun, but is easier to use than conventional steamers into which buns or the like are piled or dumped. Furthermore, the steam injector is simpler in that it requires no drawers or air-tight compartments, making it easier to fabricate as well as easier to use and clean. Also, the platen assembly is easily removed for cleaning and repair when necessary.

The apertured tray of this invention facilitates handling of buns and the like. Not only does it speed their placement in the steam injector, but it also facilitates and speeds subsequent utilization of the steamed bun segments for dressing and assembly of sandwiches. The buns require less handling when initially positioned on the tray. That reduces the possibility of their contamination and mutilation by the handling which would otherwise be required.

The platen assembly generates a very high quality steam with the water always being remote from the passages fi'om which the steam discharges, thereby to minimize the possibility of water being discharged through the injection orifices. Also, means are provided (thermostat 126) for preventing the operation of the steam injector unless the temperature of the platen assembly is high enough to generate steam of a sufficiently high quality necessary for injection of the buns. Further, a single steam injection cycle or automatically repeated steam injection cycles may be obtained to make certain the buns, or other articles to be steamed, are properly held and kept.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A steam injector comprising a frame assembly mounting a heated platen assembly comprising an expansive platen member and defining a water inlet communicating with an elongate series of steam generating chambers defined in the upper major surface of said platen member, said platen member further defining a plurality of steam injection channels in said upper major surface in communication with said water inlet but remote therefrom, said series of chambers being disposed between said inlet and said channels, baffle means between each pair of chambers in said series of chambers, said chambers being in communication through said baffle means, said platen assembly comprising means overlying said major surface and covering said chambers and channels to define closed chambers and channels and defining a plurality of rows and columns of steam injection orifices, the covering means and platen member thereby defining a continuous closed and sealed path between said inlet and said orifices in which water is introduced into a first chamber and steam issues from the steam ejection channels through said orifices and the steam and water are in continuous expansive contact therebetween, the contact with the platen member being with said major surface only, the steam injection orifices in said rows and columns being equidistantly and regularly spaced and being located directly above said steam injection channels only, means for injecting water into said water inlet, and means for hearing said platen assembly to a temperature at which all of said water is converted into superheated steam in said chambers, whereby only superheated steam is introduced into said steam injection channels for discharge through said orifices.

2. In the steam injector of claim 1 in which said series of chambers is at least three in number and there is a baffle means between each pair of chambers.

3. In the steam injector of claim 1 in which a last of said series of chambers is in communication with a said steam injection channel through a passage defined by said platen assembly, said passage being of a substantially lesser cross-sectional area than said steam injection channel.

4. In the steam injector of claim 1 in which said water injecting means comprises automatically resetting means for injecting a uniform quantity of water each time water is injected into said inlet.

5. In the steam injector of claim 1, further comprising a tray having a handle, said tray defining a plurality of equidistantly and regularly spaced perforations in rows and columns spaced to coincide with and to overlie said steam injection orifices, said perforations being larger 6. In the steam injector of claim 4, in which said means for injecting a uniform quantity of water is a solenoid operated pressure regulating valve with flow control.

7. The steam injector of claim 1 further comprising a pair of said series of chambers in communication with said inlet, each for receiving a portion of the water injected through the water inlet.

8. A steam injector comprising a heated platen assembly, said platen assembly including an expansive platen and a platen cover member removably and sealingly secured to and covering the major upper surface of said platen, and a cabinet, said platen assembly being marginally supported on said cabinet and being releasably secured to said cabinet centrally thereof only for ready removability, said platen assembly defining a water inlet communicating with a series of steam generating chambers defined in said major surface of said platen, said platen upper surface further defining a plurality of steam injection channels in communication with said water inlet but remote therefrom, said series of chambers being disposed between and communicating with said inlet and said channels along said major surface only to define with said platen cover member a continuous closed and sealed path between said cover member and said channels, said platen assembly further defining a plurality of steam injection orifices, said orifices being located directly above said steam injection channels only, means for injecting water into said water inlet, and means for heating said platen assembly to a temperature at which all of said water will be converted into superheated steam in said chambers, whereby only superheated steam is introduced into said steam injection channelsfor discharge through said ori- 

1. A steam injector comprising a frame assembly mounting a heated platen assembly comprising an expansive platen member and defining a water inlet communicating with an elongate series of steam generating chambers defined in the upper major surface of said platen member, said platen member further defining a plurality of steam injection channels in said upper major surface in communication with said water inlet but remote therefrom, said series of chambers being disposed between said inlet and said channels, baffle means between each pair of chambers in said series of chambers, said chambers being in communication through said baffle means, said platen assembly comprising means overlying said major surface and covering said chambers and channels to define closed chambers and channels and defining a plurality of rows and columns of steam injection orifices, the covering means and platen member thereby defining a continuous closed and sealed path between said inlet and said orifices in which water is introduced into a first chamber and steam issues from the steam ejection channels through said orifices and the steam and water are in continuous expansive contact therebetween, the contact with the platen member being with said major surface only, the steam injection orifices in said rows and columns being equidistantly and regularly spaced and being located directly above said steam injection channels only, means for injecting water into said water inlet, and means for heating said platen assembly to a temperature at which all of said water is converted into superheated steam in said chambers, whereby only superheated steam is introduced into said steam injection channels for discharge through said orifices.
 2. In the steam injector of claim 1 in which said series of chambers is at least three in number and there is a baffle means between each pair of chambers.
 3. In the steam injector of claim 1 in which a last of said series of chambers is in communication with a said steam injection channel through a passage defined by said platen assembly, said passage being of a substantially lesser cross-sectional area than said steam injection channel.
 4. In the steam injector of claim 1 in which said water injecting means comprises automatically resetting means for injecting a uniform quantity of water each time water is injected into said inlet.
 5. In the steam injector of claim 1, further comprising a tray having a handle, said tray defining a plurality of equidistantly and regularly spaced perforations in rows and columns spaced to coincide with and to overlie said steam injection orifices, said perforations being larger in size than said steam orifices, said platen assembly providing means for positioning said tray with said orifices and perforations coincident.
 6. In the steam injector of claim 4, in which said means for injecting a uniform quantity of water is a solenoid operated pressure regulating valve with flow control.
 7. The steam injector Of claim 1 further comprising a pair of said series of chambers in communication with said inlet, each for receiving a portion of the water injected through the water inlet.
 8. A steam injector comprising a heated platen assembly, said platen assembly including an expansive platen and a platen cover member removably and sealingly secured to and covering the major upper surface of said platen, and a cabinet, said platen assembly being marginally supported on said cabinet and being releasably secured to said cabinet centrally thereof only for ready removability, said platen assembly defining a water inlet communicating with a series of steam generating chambers defined in said major surface of said platen, said platen upper surface further defining a plurality of steam injection channels in communication with said water inlet but remote therefrom, said series of chambers being disposed between and communicating with said inlet and said channels along said major surface only to define with said platen cover member a continuous closed and sealed path between said cover member and said channels, said platen assembly further defining a plurality of steam injection orifices, said orifices being located directly above said steam injection channels only, means for injecting water into said water inlet, and means for heating said platen assembly to a temperature at which all of said water will be converted into superheated steam in said chambers, whereby only superheated steam is introduced into said steam injection channels for discharge through said orifices. 